MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Investigators work to pinpoint cause of Amtrak derailment

Jul 3, 2017, 6:02 AM

An Amtrak train derailed in Steilacoom on Sunday. (KIRO 7)...

An Amtrak train derailed in Steilacoom on Sunday. (KIRO 7)

(KIRO 7)

On Monday, the focus turns to the investigation after an Amtrak train derailed in Steilacoom.

Overnight, Burlington Northern Sante Fe crews worked to get four derailed cars upright after Sunday’s accident.

Investigators will work to pinpoint the cause of the crash on Monday.

The train was on its way from Portland to Seattle when it derailed just north of Chambers Bay right before the tracks go over the water.

None of the 267 people on board were seriously hurt.

Passengers said they were especially alarmed to see a railroad worker in the water after the derailment.

“We actually saw the engineer was in the water swimming away from the bridge,” said a witness.

That man is OK.

Passengers later said they think he had been working on the Chambers Bay Bridge when the train was approaching.

West Pierce County fire officials said it was unclear whether the bridge was open or closed when the train approached.

KIRO 7 reached out to the railroad for details about what kind of work was happening on the bridge but has not yet heard back.

Amtrak trains between Seattle and Portland are scheduled to depart on time.

MyNorthwest News

transgender...

Julia Dallas

Seattle School Board authorizes potential legal action over transgender girls’ sports ban

The Seattle School Board authorized potential legal action over Initiative 638, which will bar transgender girls from competing in girls’ school sports.

3 hours ago

_involuntary treatment system...

James Lynch

‘Needs to be improved’: Report targets gaps in WA’s involuntary treatment system

A statewide task force is calling for changes to Washington’s Involuntary Treatment Act (ITA) system.

6 hours ago

school bus school districts...

KIRO Newsradio staff

3 WA school districts prepare to sue state over funding

Three Washington school districts are preparing to sue the state over education funding.

6 hours ago

California...

Associated Press

California voters reject measure to tax the wealth of billionaires

California voters have rejected a first-in-the-nation tax on the net worth of billionaires following a contentious ballot fight.

6 hours ago

condo...

Aaron Granillo

Puget Sound condo market swings in buyers’ favor

Condo buyers are gaining the upper hand locally and across the country.

7 hours ago

Deejay Tuiasosopo...

James Lynch

Second suspect pleads not guilty in crash that killed Deejay Tuiasosopo

A second defendant in last month's crash in Federal Way that killed Deejay Tuiasosopo, 16, was in court today.

8 hours ago

Investigators work to pinpoint cause of Amtrak derailment